Dream about Grandma's famous Magic Bars all year? Start looking forward to your sister's homemade fudge in October? Don't deprive yourself. These little joys come along only once a year (and are well worth that extra hour on the treadmill).Just be sure to indugle in one piece (or even two or three!) of your favorite treat and not one (or even two or three) dozen.

HUNGRY GIRL PARTY TIPS

-Make a deal with yourself. For every naughty thing you eat--like chocolate or cookies, you'll eat 5 pieces of something nice--like veggies from the veggie tray. That way you'll fill up on healthy foods and won't won't go overboard on the high-cal treats.

-Don't hit the food table until you've been at the party for at least 45 minutes. By then you'll be involved with the people, music and festivites and will be less likely to go food-crazy.

-Watch beverages! Egg Nog, Hot Cider and Hot Cocoa can all be diet-busting disasters. Skip them at holiday parties!

-Did someone give you a box of chocolates or a basket of cookies for the holidays? Take them to a party as your contribution. That way you share the yum--and the calories!

Watch out for alcoholic holiday beverages. Those empty calories can add up quickly. One of the worst seasonal drinks is hot buttered rum. One mug contains around 400 calories! That's almost like drinking straight melted butter! Skip the fancy drinks and sip on a diet soda instead. Then indulge your fancy beverage cravings at home where you can make your drink low-cal.

CHEW ON THIS:The average person gains approximately 1.5 lbs. over the holidays.

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